The Sunday Post: Breast Cancer Bake Off

This weekend my friends and I took to our kitchens in true Mary Berry form in the name of Breast Cancer. My best friend Katie has spent the past couple of months working together with the Breast Cancer foundation to organise a bake off to raise money for the charity. Not only would we be helping a wonderful cause, but we had a great laugh in the process.

We took to our local high street and received lot's of donations in the form of hair appointments and complimentary lunches to add to our raffle. Katie hosted a bunch of games which saw people demolishing jelly boobs, chowing down hands tied on hanging doughnuts, and competing to get the most pairs of bra's on! I took part in the doughnut challenge, which I was rubbish at losing all my dignity on my tip toes, mouth wide open trying to devour the hanging doughnut without using my hands. Was hilarious though!

 There was also a gorgeous spread which I eagerly tucked into, whilst also trying to save room for the main event the cakes! The cakes all looked stunning and were sold off today in slices making the total raised £275, as a result of Katie's hard efforts and the Bake Off Party! You can donate to the cause here, as it truly helps such a brilliant charity. Let's all stand together against Breast Cancer.

Photography was by best chum Ellie, who spent the afternoon snapping away for everyone and for my blog to share with you guys how truly great the afternoon was. You can check out her photography here.

Let's all stand together against Breast Cancer and spread awareness. Events like this are really fun as well as being fulfilling so I recommend you all think about hosting one in the future - you won't regret it!

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Cosmo Blog Awards 2013 - An Evening to Remember

 

This next sentence that I will type does not only feel surreal to nineteen year old me who started this blog posting about hair drama's and my lack of cosmetic knowledge, but little old me sat here right now. I won Highly Commended Best New Beauty Blog. Whaaaaaaaaat. I'm still in shock and of course super chuffed to have LR given such high recognition, especially with all the amazing blogs out there and the amazing girls in my category. I was happy to have just been shortlisted out of 40,000 entrants, that's a massive achievement in itself! The overall winner went to One Nail To Rule Them All - it's really refreshing to see a nail blogger win and her nail art is on another level! 

Without getting too soppy I'd like to send you all a massive virtual bear hug and say thank you for reading and to those who voted. It feels slightly insane that I was schmoozming around with the Cosmo team last night and how far my ramblings and cosmetic habit have got me. 

Warning: The rest of this post is photo heavy and filled with the most gorgeous bloggers and women I have had the privilege to meet!

My babe Suzie took home Best Established Beauty Blog deservedly, not only that but it was her birthday, what a way to celebrate. I also got to finally meet the stunning Alix after many tweets and lot's of video watching, who is genuinely the sweetest girl.

A blogger bundle with these beauts: Ysis, Suzie, Alix, Corrie, Kim, Liv, & Caroline.

Corrie & I chuffed to pieces with our Highly Commended wins for Best New & Best Established Beauty. 

Was lovely to finally meet Sammi, whose blog and youtube were one of the first to inspire me to start my own. And yes, she's just as gorgeous in person.

I had an amazing evening and a right good giggle with these lovely ladies. So thank you girls, thank you Cosmo, and thank you. Squee!

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New In: Little Mix & Collection Launch

Last week I popped along to the Launch of Little Mix's new makeup range for Collection. I was met with an ice cold berry cocktail, scrummy fish & chip canapés, and finally got to meet the lovely Lucy & Gemma and have a good ol' chinwag. 

The girls gave us an introduction to their specific ranges in the collection, but Lauren & I were mostly eyeing up Perrie's jumpsuit and that ring.

The range is best suited for a younger audience, I don't think I'd buy any of the items myself if I spotted them in store. However, the red lipstick in Jesy's range* (seen above) did pleasantly surprise me, glossy and pigmented for only £2.99. It did feel slightly too greasy on the lips as I favour a matte finish but for that price you really can't go wrong.  I'm not one for glitter liners but I really could see my younger cousins loving this range as it is definitely geared towards those younger girls first experimenting with makeup. I would wear the lipsticks though.

What are your thoughts of the LM Range?

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Josie Gibson Collection for Goddiva

Images taken by the lovely Jemma.

"Alright mate!" was the greeting I met from face of the collection Josie Gibson, and which truly set the tone for a very lovely evening. Josie, winner of Big Brother 2010, was down to earth, chatty, and the very warm and bubbly character thousands of us viewed, and grew to love, via our tv screens. Not having properly watched Big Brother since Josie herself was in the house I was immediately shocked by her dramatic weight loss, she looked absolutely stunning and I think it's fair to say we were all quite in awe of how different she looked. Josie showed off her new bod fittingly by modelling a few pieces from her line for us...

The collection is not something that I'd be immediately drawn to with ruched jersey maxi's and neon bodycon's that won't fail to get you noticed being the stand out pieces. However I found the body con cutaway dress and mono lace detail dress to be gorgeous once on and perfect for a night out and extremely flattering for a variety of shapes and sizes. The price tag isn't the best for those of us on a student friendly budget but now that I've tried on some of the pieces for myself I would be more tempted to treat myself to a little body con number for a special occasion and I chose this gorgeous dress in emerald to brighten up my going out wardrobe.

What are your thoughts? To take a greater look at the collection click here.

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Louise Thompson for Goddiva Fashion Launch

Phew! That was quite a few photo's to get through but I just couldn't help but show you the mini burgers and assorted canapes that were on offer - I am a massive food junkie and so foody treats will always take pride of place on this blog.
Back to the matter in hand though! Just over a week ago now I was invited along to the launch of Louise Thompson's (for those of you who are reality tv fans you will already know she stars in 'Made in Chelsea') fashion range for Goddiva Fashion. In all honesty, upon first look at the range online I didn't think all that much of it. I'm not a girl that fawns over glitz and glitter, and a lot of the line I wouldn't know where to wear the pieces to as some of the dresses are quite formal or aimed more for prom. However, after being welcomed to the Mayfair Exchange with a glass of champers by the lovely team behind red hot pr, I zoomed over to the rails to get a closer inspection. Among my favourite pieces were a rose petal ruffled jumper, a scalloped bodycon baroque dress , and a very glitzy little number with cut out shoulder pieces which I luckily enough got to take home with me (outfit post coming soon!). Needless to say my opinions were altered for the better after trying on the more casual line of outfits and bodycon dresses suited for a night out with the girls.

Meeting Louise was strange seeing as I've watched her pretty much every Monday evening on E4. She was extremely down to earth and we got chatting about university deadlines and dissertations, it's sometimes hard to remember she's just another university student too. She was open and honest about her input into the range and happily posed away for photo's with a gaggle of eager bloggers. For once in my life, I actually felt quite tall too, Louise is SO tiny! I even caught a glimpse of Spencer waiting outside for Louise in a London Black Cab (in true Chelsea fashion) whilst me and Jemma opted for the tube armed with a very generous load of jam packed goody bags which I can't wait to delve into!

Have you had a look at the Louise Thompson range? Are you a bit of a MIC junkie like me?

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Pop Couture Xmas Party

On Thursday evening I made the journey from Reading, which is where I live for University, back home to London for the Pop Couture Christmas Event. After numerous train cancellations and delays I felt a bit deflated and not in the mood to travel to be in London, for a mere two or three hours, especially with the gusts of wind and rain being thrown in the mix. However, I am SO glad I did. I had an amazing evening at the Neo Barbican and met some really lovely bloggers who were all so down to earth and we all had a good natter over yummy cocktails and in between scoffing on canapes - okay, that was mostly me. I was super hungry.

I bumped into some friendly faces recognisable from twitter, such as Milly and Julie, as well as many new like the gorgeous Jo, Desiree, and Banke - hi girls!
We was all lucky enough to be given a tag on which we had to write our name and size before greedily eyeing up the array of printed trousers, velvet dresses, and glamorous peplums on display for us to choose an item from for our very own. I chose a burgundy velvet, cut out dress (see above) - it was calling my name and I can't wait to try it on when it arrives! If that wasn't already enough we were also treated to mini makeovers and many of us opted for a bold glittery lip, Lauren and Jemma chose a midnight black lip but I was a bit wary and asked for purple instead - I am in love. Despite the very odd looks I received making my way home through Paddington station, and sitting among businessmen on their way home, I loved the pop of purple and glitter combo and really wished I asked what exact MAC lipstick she used.

Pop Couture is a great fashion brand which is suitable for those who still want to look fierce on a budget - I couldn't recommend checking out their site enough - cards at the ready, girls!

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#motelxmas

For those of you who believe that a photo is worth a thousand words this post might just be for you. I do love the written word but this post would be rather hefty if I went into every little thing I loved about last night at the Motel Xmas Party. I had an absolutely amazing time, the cocktails were scrummy (if it wasn't for a jippy tummy I would have taken FULL advantage of a free bar), the music brought floods of old school nostalgia rushing back, and I got chatting to so many lovely bloggers. I regret I didn't have time to talk to everyone - let me know if we did have a chat as I'm useless with names!

There we have it! An evening spent being pampered by Eyelure, My Face Cosmetics, and the oh-so wonderful Lee Stafford whom sadly I did not get the chance to let his magic, hair beautifying, hands get to grips with my mane. I think Jemma, Lauren, and Lucy would agree that one of the highlights of the night was the photo booth which, after a cheeky cocktail or two, we all clambered into to pose our faces off dolled up in a cluster of Christmas gear and the odd sailor. We also all left gratefully owner of a Motel Christmas gift so I want to send bundles of virtual lovin' to the guys at Motel and everyone that helped put last night together - it was truly a top notch evening!

If you were there last night do let me know as sadly I didn't get a chance to speak to quite a few lovely bloggers that have tweeted me! I'm getting TOO over excited about Christmas this year, I think it was Home Alone on Channel 4 the other night that did it. Are you getting in the Christmas spirit?

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